10 Home Remedies That Can Do Wonders for Your Nails

Human nails are as strong as a horse’s hooves, according to research. But still, we keep breaking them! Cracking fingernails is quite a common problem and it can be caused by dryness, too much moisture, excessive use of nail polish remover, and so on. Thankfully, there are a lot of simple natural remedies out there that can help you achieve the set of nails you desire without going to salons.

Bright Side has found out about some of these remedies for our readers. Take a look below!

1. Apply cucumber.

If you suffer from brittle nails often, you can naturally get rid of the problem by applying cucumber. It’s not only rich in vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3, and C, but it also contains calcium and iron. Simply soak your nails in cucumber juice extract for 5 minutes.

2. Make use of Vicks VapoRub.

Although this ointment is known for curing coughs and colds, it can also work wonders when it comes to nail fungus. A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine claims that using Vicks Vaporub can cure brittle nails and fight fungus. You can apply it to the affected area once a day.

4. Scrub with lemon juice and baking soda.

In order to skip the salon and whiten your nails at home, scrub your nails with a lemon wedge or apply it with cotton and leave on for 10 minutes. For deeper cleansing, mix lemon juice with baking soda to form a thin paste and scrub your nails with it using a toothbrush.

5. Consume horsetail tea.

Horsetail is proven to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking 2 cups of horsetail herb tea is a simple and easy way to maintain strong nails and keep them from breaking too often.

6. Apply oregano oil.

Easily available in a supermarket near you, oregano oil can be used to maintain nails as an alternative to tea tree oil. This oil contains thymol which is proven to have amazing anti-bacterial properties. If you suffer from nail fungus or bacterial issues, gently rub your nails with cotton swabs dipped in oregano oil.

7. Consume foods rich in biotin.

To make your nails grow faster, it’s essential to consume foods rich in biotin, a type of vitamin B. According to a study, biotin is capable of turning weak nails into strong ones in only a few weeks. Some foods that contain this vitamin are nuts, cauliflower, cooked eggs, bananas, and mushrooms. Include them in your daily diet.

8. Massage with coconut oil.

Coconut oil can nourish and moisturize your nails and keep your cuticles healthy. Take a few drops of coconut oil and massage your nails with it till it’s absorbed. Doing so will heal your nail beds and make them strong.

9. Soak in apple cider vinegar and water.

To treat infected nails, soak them in a solution made of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar. Keep your nails soaked for about 30 minutes. Or for a quicker remedy, you can apply apple cider vinegar to your infected fingernails with cotton swabs.

10. Use garlic.

There are far too many uses for garlic to write down in a list, but something it’s great for is curing toenail fungus. Garlic cloves contain antimicrobial properties that can keep annoying fungus at bay. Crush some garlic cloves and make a paste, then apply it to the infected area.

Weak nails could also be a sign of an underlying condition. If you’re not sure if your problem is just cosmetic, it’s advised to consult a doctor before trying out these natural remedies.

Have you tried any of these remedies before? How do you tackle the problem of brittle nails?